Govt prepared to examine proposal on free museum admission

SINGAPORE - The Government is prepared to "look seriously" at the proposal to make admission at national museums free for all Singaporeans, said Information, Communications and the Arts Minister Lui Tuck Yew. Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng (Tanjong Pagar GRC) had suggested that admission fees may be "the single biggest obstacle in preventing our public museums from fulfilling their missions". Changing this might entice Singaporeans to pop in and out of museums as and when they have time, given their busy lifestyles. In reply, Mr Lui noted that free admission enjoyed currently by students, senior citizens and full-time National Servicemen, among other groups, has not led to a significant spike in visitor numbers. Mr Baey said, though, that one reason for this could be the lack of mobility among children and senior citizens, while NSmen, he added, would probably prefer t...